After more than a decade among the serious contenders, Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku does not see the Red Devils as favorites in the World Cup, but as 'outsiders', and assumes that he will not start the tournament as a starter, after an unfortunate season with problems and injuries in which he has only played 64 minutes.

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"This time we are the 'dark horses', the 'outsiders'. Am I saying that we can win the World Cup? No. But are we going to hide? Of course not," said the Naples attacker in an interview published today by the newspaper 'DH Les Sports'.

Belgium's all-time top scorer, with 89 goals for his national team at the age of 33, says he has learned with age and assumes he will not start.

"I told the people of the Federation: I'm not going to the World Cup with the idea of ​​being a starter from the beginning. I've become much wiser. Of course I have an ego; otherwise, I wouldn't be the player I am. But I put that ego aside for the benefit of the team," he explained.

Lukaku added that he hopes to be ready "during the group stage" and that he faces the tournament "with the mentality of Vincent Kompany in 2018", when the then Belgian defender arrived at the World Cup in Russia after a season marked by physical problems.

"A tournament is long, it's a process. Why would I play 60 minutes against Egypt if I feel like I'm not fully prepared? I know what I can contribute to the team. On the field. Don't worry," he said.

The forward commented that in pre-season he suffered a serious injury to his hip tendon during a match against Olympiacos and that afterwards he had “two complications”, although he finally avoided undergoing surgery.

He also admitted that he returned “too soon” to help Napoli, which complicated his recovery, and assured that he decided to remain in Belgium during the March training camp to complete his tune-up.

“No more nonsense, I want to save my World Cup,” he reasoned. Despite everything, Lukaku still sees himself as having an international career and does not consider this World Cup as his last big event.

"I want to play in two more World Cups. The one in 2030 will be the last. I will be 37 years old. My body can hold out until then," he said.

Asked if he will reach the 100-goal barrier with Belgium, which is 11 goals away, he said he is not thinking about it, although he acknowledged two big regrets: having lost the 2018 World Cup semifinal against France and not having scored more in his first calls. “I would have reached 100 goals a long time ago,” he concluded.